Model Longhouses

AWESOME job class! I can tell you and your families worked VERY hard on these!

Cody's:

Alanna, Greyson, Jaquan, Nick, and Andrew's:

Sophia and Ruth's:

Tristan's:

Hunter's:

Austin's:

Sophie's:

Celia's:

Ev's:

Grace's:

Ben's:

Native American Names Activity

Hello class! Today you are going to adopt your own Native American name. This is the site on which I found my dog Takoda's name. You will choose a name which either sounds cool to you or the meaning of the name is significant to you or reflects your own characteristics. Write the name and meaning on your notecard, then post a comment about what name you chose, its meaning, and why you chose it.
Boys click here
Girls click here

Tribal Research

Thursday students researched the 6 tribes of the Haudenosaunee: Mohawk, Seneca, Cayuga, Oneida, Onondaga, and Tuscarora. Students worked in groups of three and practiced good note-taking skills. Observe below!

Coffeyhouse Stories

Thank you to everyone who helped out, brought something, or made this night special with your company! The students performed so well and should be proud of themselves!

Coffeyhouse Stories

"Coffeyhouse Stories" is tonight at 6:30PM in Miss Coffey's classroom! Here is a special sneak-peak video of what you'll hear tonight!

Jeopardy!

Today we played a fun math review game of Jeopardy! The students reviewed decimals by comparing them, ordering them, adding and subtracting them, measured and drew line segments in cm and m, and converted units in the metric system. I could tell that we have a such a close and respectful class as they cheered each other on and were such great teammates! Today felt like a very special day where everyone felt good about themselves and their choices.

The Metric System

Over the last couple of days we have been studying the Metric System in math. We discussed places we see things measured using the Metric System, like buying a 2-liter bottle of soda or seeing a temperature listed in degrees Celsius. We have really been concentrating on the fact that there are 10 millimeters (mm) in a centimeter (cm), 10 centimeters (cm) in a decimeter (dc), 100 centimeters in a meter (m) and 1,000 meters (m) in a kilometer (km). Below, Xander and Jaquan find things around the room that are around one centimeter, decimeter, or meter.

Haudenosuanee Clans

Recently we have learned about the clans of the Haudenosuanee tribes. Our own class has been placed into clans: the Eel Clan, the Hawk Clan, the Beaver Clan, the Bear Clan, the Wolf Clan, and the Turtle Clan. Below, students draw and color a picture of their clan to hang on their desk.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope that everyone got to spend some quality time with their families over these last few days off! I personally traveled to my hometown near Rochester to see my dad, mom, sister, brother, and family dog Charlie. It's nice to spend time with those we love and who love us!

Here are a few excerpts from the Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address that parallel things I am thankful for. Let me know if you read it to your family on Thanksgiving!

The People
Today we have gathered and we see that the cycles of life continue. We have been given the duty to live in balance and harmony with each other and all living things. So now, we bring our minds together as one as we give greetings and thanks to each other as People.
Now our minds are one.

The Earth Mother
We are all thankful to our Mother, the Earth, for she gives us all that we need for life. She supports our feet as we walk about upon her. It gives us joy that she continues to care for us as she has from the beginning of time. To our Mother, we send greetings and thanks.
Now our minds are one.

The Plants
Now we turn toward the vast fields of Plant life. As far as the eye can see, the Plants grow, working many wonders. They sustain many life forms. With our minds gathered together, we give thanks and look forward to seeing Plant life for many generations to come.
Now our minds are one.

The Animals
We gather our minds together to send greetings and thanks to all the Animal life in the world. They have many things to teach us as people. We see them near our homes and in the deep forests. We are glad they are still here and we hope that it will always be so.
Now our minds are one.

The Trees
We now turn our thoughts to the Trees. The Earth has many families of Trees who have their own instructions and uses. Some provide us with shelter and shade, others with fruit, beauty and other useful things. Many peoples of the world use a Tree as a symbol of peace and strength. With one mind, we greet and thank the Tree life.
Now our minds are one.

The Stars
We give thanks to the Stars who are spread across the sky like jewelry. We see them in the night, helping the Moon to light the darkness and bringing dew to the gardens and growing things. When we travel at night, they guide us home. With our minds gathered together as one, we send greetings and thanks to all the Stars.
Now our minds are one.

The Enlightened Teachers
We gather our minds to greet and thank the enlightened Teachers who have come to help throughout the ages. When we forget how to live in harmony, they remind us of the way we were instructed to live as people. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to these caring Teachers.
Now our minds are one.

Closing Words
We have now arrived at the place where we end our words. Of all the things we have named, it was not our intention to leave anything out. If something was forgotten, we leave it to each individual to send such greetings and thanks in their own way.
Now our minds are one.

4th Grade Concert

Great job for everyone who came to the 4th and 5th grade chorus concert last night! I was really proud of you. Keep up singing... I sang in chorus when I was in school and found it was a great hobby and a nice way to make some wonderful friends!

Story Bags

Over the last week we've been sewing story bags! According to a Haudenosaunee story, the story bag holds items that remind the teller of each story they tell. For many this is their first sewing project of their lives! Perhaps the parents will have a chance to see these story bags at an upcoming event... to be announced soon!

Election Day Tomorrow!

To prepare us for election day tomorrow, Mrs. Clark's 5th graders presented the whole 4th grade with two non-biased informational posters on each of the presidential candidates regarding issues such as education, health care, economy, the war in Iraq, and the environment.

Later, Mrs. Snyder read us a book about a child who dreams of being the president someday.

Tomorrow, every student in Caroline will have the chance to go to the library and cast their vote for who they would WANT to win the election tomorrow. At the end of the school day, the results of Caroline's election will be announced. But remember, we won't know the ACTUAL winner until Tuesday night!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Questioning

Today we learned that good readers ask themselves questions as they read or listen to a story. See everyone's questions in the form of thought-bubbles coming from their minds while we started a new story today!

A Visit from a Board Member

Caroline's very own Board of Education member Scott Perez took his time Friday to visit the 4th grade and help them launch their Native American unit on the Haudenoshaunee, or "People of the Longhouse." Mr. Perez, who is of Mohawk background (a Haudenoshaunee tribe) brought his own homegrown corn, moccasins, a goose-feather fan, and a real deerskin. He really had every student engaged!

Writer's Workshop

Writer's workshop is going well! These students are writing wonderful stories about important people, places, and objects in their lives, and are adding detail, dialogue, writer's craft, and a good beginning, middle, and end! They are filling their stories with scents, feelings, tastes, sights, and sounds! Below, see writing buddies Ben and Tristan, Xander and Andrew meet on the carpet to discuss their writing.

8-Square Schoolhouse Highlights

Evan writes the cursive alphabet with a fountain pen and ink-filled bottle

Celia pumps water for Hunter while he washes his hands before lunch

Black and White shot of the group in front of the school

Color shot of the group in front of the school

Sophie and the hoop game

Tristan writing on a slate

8-Square Schoolhouse

Monday we are going to the 8-Square Schoolhouse! It will be a real experience to compare schooling of the 1800s to schools today. Some subjects we will practice are arithmetic, penmanship, geography, and grammar! Don't forget to bring your outfit in a bag to change into before we get on the bus! Above is another class who visited the schoolhouse and is giving a nice example of what to wear!

Gathering Materials

Welcome back! Today the whole 4th grade ended their day outside together in this gorgeous weather as we collected fall foliage to later use as materials to build longhouses in our upcoming Native American unit. Above, Sophia, Ruth, Grace, Celia, and other 4th grade friends collect bark, twigs, and leaves.
This week we are finishing up electricity (with a test Friday) and then moving into Social Studies Tuesday after our field trip to the 8 Square Schoolhouse!

A Breath of Fresh Air

Yesterday I took the class outside during our Reading and Writing block after lunch. It was a beautiful fall day as students chose to lay in the sun and read and write or stay in the shade. Below, Cody leans against a tree as he fills his writer's notebook with wonderful, detailed moments.